Sikkim has secured its berth in the semi-final of the ongoing Dr T Ao Memorial U-21 Football Tournament at Guwahati in Assam. Sikkim has thrashed Tripura 5-0 in its last match in the qualifying round of the tournament played on Sunday.
Being a very crucial match, Sikkim played an attacking game from the beginning to keep a constant pressure on Tripura. Noel Darjee scored the lead for Sikkim in the 29th minute and following goals by his teammates Dawa Lhendup Sherpa in the 33rd minute and Prashant Chettri in the 39th took the lead to 3-0. Dawa Lhendup Sherpa completed his brace in the 44th minute to end the first half with 4-0 lead.
In the second half, Prashant Chettri has also completed his brace in the 69th minute to take the lead of Sikkim to 5-0. With no further goals in the match, Sikkim humbled Tripura by 5-0 win to make its place in the semi-final of the tournament. Prashant Chettri has been adjudged as the Man of the Match.
Sikkim will be playing its semi-final match on February 27.
Sikkim team manager, Arjun Rai told Northeast Now that all players played their hearts out with an attacking game from the start by knowing the importance of the match. “Our boys played exceptionally well throughout the match to registered an easy win over Tripura. Our players are in high spirit and motivated to continue their form in the semi-final match,” he said.
It has to be mentioned that in the qualifying round Sikkim lost its first match against Meghalaya by a solitary goal and got walkover in its second match as Mizoram failed to turn up in the tournament.